Satinwood

A close-grained, hard and durable wood with a silky lustre, obtained from both the West and East Indies, that from the East, of later introduction into England, having a finer figure and deeper straw colour than the other. It was used, at first, by Adam and Chippendale for inlay, but afterwards as a veneer, also in a characteristic manner by Hepple-white as a background for painted medallions, scrolls, etc., and by Sheraton for inlay work. Mr. Percy Macquoid makes "Satinwood or Composite" a main division in his well-known work, "A History of English Furniture," and fixes the date as from 1770 to 1820.

Satyr Mask

From about 1730 to 1740 the mask of this Sylvan deity was carved as an ornamental feature on the knees of chairs, etc., to so marked an extent that Mr. Herbert Cescinsky in "English Furniture of the Eighteenth Century " has termed the period the "Satyr-masque period." The motive is of German origin, and to a considerable extent it superseded the lion's head which was a vogue from 1720, and the shell design of the Decorated Queen Anne period.

Claude Charles Saunier

A celebrated French ebonist who worked for both Louis XV. and Louis XVI., and was still living in 1792. Two beautiful examples of his work, a cabinet and an encoignure, may be seen in the Wallace Collection.

Saw

In connection with furniture it is often useful and sometimes necessary to remember that frame and veneer saws were introduced in the time of William and Mary, circular saws about the year 1790, and band saws not until 1858. For example, it is difficult to understand why the process called "therming" was practised unless it is remembered that circular saws were not invented at the time.

Scagliola

A composition of gypsum or plaster of Paris, chips of marble, colouring matter, etc., in imitation of marble. Invented in the seventeenth century, it was much used by the architect-designers of furniture from the Decorated Queen Anne period onwards. The English supplies were chiefly obtained from Florence.

Scaling

An architectural surface ornament of an imbricated or tile-like character, or resembling the scales of a fish. The architect-designers often used it to fill in the background of small panels, such as are found on the legs of consoles, etc.

Scallop, Scollop, Or Escallop

A border cut into segments of circles to resemble a row of scallop shells, either in convex or concave form.

School

A term used in many connections to indicate the style or methods of a master and his followers or imitators. In speaking about furniture, it is more usual to use the term "period," as, for example, the Chippendale period. See Period.

Scollop

See Escallop.

Sconce

A word of old French derivation, having in England two meanings, the one that of a small removable metal socket in which a candle is fixed, serving to protect the candlestick or chandelier from any falling melted wax; the other the wall-bracket or candlestick with one or more arms to hold the candle or candles. The brothers Adam were the first to make any considerable use of the wall sconce.